St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1887-12-17
BAHAMA TREASURES,

BANANA TREASURES.
Gstsrsssiag Expssssaoss - . seasasaA,
Party fFo0 Peessyivaala.
The little party Of biologists sent on,
BY the University Of Pennsylvania II
make investigations and researche.
have returned with abundance Of glOry
and several boxes. tubs and tanks full
Of curious specimens. The primary
purpose Of the jaunt was to give the
party m opportunity to determine upon
the Bahamas as the site Of biological
marine station that the university de-
sires to establish and hopes to have in
existence within three years. It already
has considerable fund for that purpose.
The residence Of the party during
their stay was 1t = comfortable house
three miles from Nassau. almost on the
waters edge. They lived in commu-
NIFTY. each member taking charge Of the
men in turn. The cost was extremely
modest. The men went to work At
once. taking advantage Of such assist
ance as the people roundabout could
afford. A young boatman and diver
named Brown was found to be Of great
use. having already served three Dis
tinguished naturalists-Prof. Gardner.
who was sent out by the English Gov
eminent; Prof. Weldon. Of Cambridge.
and Prof. Brooks. Of John Hopkins.
All the party were good swimmers.
and soon learned to do their own
diving. Each provided himself with a
crowbar and water box. small box
with plate-glass bottom. The glass.
quoting the ripplcs on the surface Of
the sea, enabled them to see far down
into the depths, many times to the very
bottom. When any ono saw 4 bit Of
rock-bearing coral. anemones. sponges.
or other objects that he wished to Sc
cure he tossed tho glass aside. dived
down. and pried the desired specimen
loose with the crowbar and carried it
mp under his arm. Practice en-.
abled them to stay . long time
under water. Mr.. Marshall frequently
remained two min1tcs submerged. DR..
Dollcys says that any man can re-
main under water . considerable timc
II he will only simply make up his mind
to do 90. There is an intense feeling Of
oppression at frat but DR.. Dolley says
that It is simply nervousness. and soon
passes away.
Several medicinal plants were secured
and experiments will be made Is to
their therapeutic value. Among them
il curious bean that animals are very
fond Of eating. At first the animals
grow fat and 81 eek. But in about two
weeks their tails and names drop of; in
another week their hoofs and horns, IL
they have horns 60. Then they
grow weaker and weaker and finally
die Of fatty degeneration. But even
70 the end they eat the beans with in
finite relish. There arc other plants
10 the collectioa that arc used By the
Bativss il he treatment Of rheumatism
ND dysestsgy wirh apparent success.
The doctors are 'sbushmen. who have
nnA16lhs mcdieinal qualities Of herbs
"a rootA and trees BY tradition.
3overnor BlSEs. Tor the party. sailed
o ~ isla3d Of Alaco ono day and
cttlsd the) question n to whether
laaninecs(s1t In or stand over their
sofs = question about which natural
= have besn in dispute these many
7eaaa d.. Dolley says Governor
Make reported that hamingos sit in
hsir nests like other birds. The party
'ent swimming At night in . wonder
ri phosph crescent lake. At every
trokc the swimmers created waves Of
re. and when they climbed out upon
heir boat their bodies seemed covered
nth myriads Of flaming sparks. The !
Of course, were myriads Of
opePods. the little glowing creatures
hat give the appearance Of fire to the
nrface Of the lake.
Some skulls Of the Luycayans. the i
riginal inhabitants Of the islands. who !,
'ere exterminated within thirty years
tier their discovery by Columbus.
zero found in . cave.-RAiLsdelphio ,
Smes.